Published by the American
Unitarian Association, at 81 Washington Street. – Printed by Isaac R. Butts and
Co.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, MAY
13, 1826.
VOL. V. No. 19.

The Cherokees. The recent visit of Mr
Elias Boudinot to this city, has afforded us opportunity to collect a number of
interesting particulars relative to the condition and prospects of the Cherokee
nation. Their country, it is well known lies in the chartered limits of
Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Its extent, as defined by treaties, is about
two hundred miles in length, by about 120 in breadth. Consequently, the number
of square miles is not far from 24,000; or more than the aggregate number
contained in the four states of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut. The surface of the soil is various; but more generally, especially
in the northern parts, hilly and mountainous. In the southern and western parts
there are extensive and fertile plains, covered in many places with trees, and
traversed with beautiful rivers and streams,

The population in 1810, was 12,395
Cherokees, 341 whites, and 583 blacks. Total 13,219. In 1824, according to a
census taken by order of the Cherokee nation, there were 13,635 Cherokees, 230
whites, and 1377 blacks. Total 15,232. Increase in 14 years, 2013 - exclusive
of those who in 1818 - 19 removed to the river Arkansaw, beyond the
Mississippi. The population of these last, is supposed to be at present about
5000. So that the real increase on Cherokee population in 14 years, cannot
fairly be estimated at less than six or seven thousand; which is half the
original number. According to this ratio, the population would double once in
28 years; while the whole population of the United States is found to double
once in 25 years. Of course the ratio of increase among the Cherokees, is
scarcely less than that of the United States at large; and far greater than that
of any country in Europe.

That the supports of population have, in
spite of early habits and associations, gained a firm footing among the
Cherokees, is evident from facts. The Superintendent of Indian Affairs in a
letter to the Secretary of War, speaks of them as deserving to be ‘considered as
civilized people.” And Mr Boudinot assures us, that at present there is not a
family in the nation, which can be said to subsist upon the products of the
wilderness. Numerous public roads are established, and houses of entertainment
for the convenience of travelers. Agriculture and manufactures have succeeded
to the chase, and are productive of important benefits to the nation. At
present there are 10 saw mills, 31 grist mills, 62 blacksmith’s shops, 8
cotton-machines, 18 schools, 18 ferries, and a number of public roads.

In one district there were last winter
more than one thousand good books; and eleven different periodical publications,
either religious or political, were taken and read. Most of the schools are
under care of christian missionaries, whose labors have at all times been kindly
received by the nation, and duly appreciated.

In various places the word of God is now
regularly dispensed, both by missionaries and natives; and many have publicly
professed their belief and interest in the merits of the great Redeemer.

We have before had occasion to speak of
the alphabet of 86 letters, or characters, invented about two years since Mr
George Guest, a native Cherokee, who could neither read nor speak the English
language. This alphabet has already become very useful to the nation; as,
whether from curiosity or principle, has been the means of bringing numbers
acquainted with reading, who would otherwise in all probability, have died in
ignorance of the art. Mr Boudinot states, that in the neighborhood of his own
residence, within a circle of perhaps 10 miles, he does not recollect one male
Cherokee, between the ages of 15 and 25, who is unacquainted with this new
method of expressing his thoughts.

Viewed in connexion with Mr Guest’s
invention, the translation of the New Testament in Cherokee, by Mr David Brown,
assumes a high importance. It breaks down the barrier which has so long and so
formidably opposed the religious instruction of adults; so that bright hopes may
now be entertained of leading them also, as well as their children, to a
knowledge of the truth.

The Cherokees have a well organized
system of government among themselves, which takes cognisance of crimes and
punishes offenders, while it secures to good citizens all the rights and
privileges of Americans. As still further improvements, they are now taking
measures for the establishment of a national Academy and a printing press. The
latter it is designed shall prepare the way for the publication of an Indian
Newspaper. When the influence of all these institutions shall be fully
felt, can there be a doubt, that many a district peopled by the descendants of
Englishmen, will be found inferior in point of civilization, - intellectual and
moral worth – in all that ennobles and honors human nature - to this branch of
the native family of America.